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Alternating current
An alternating current (AC) is an electric current of which magnitude and direction vary, unlike direct current, whose direction remains constant. This means that the direction of current flowing in a circuit is constantly being reversed back and forth. This is done with any type of AC voltage source.
The usual waveform of an AC power circuit is a sine wave, because this leads to the most efficient transmission of energy. However, in certain applications different waveforms are used, such as triangular or square waves. Inexpensive power inverters produce a square wave with a pause between the change in direction.
When one speaks of alternating current one mostly refers to the form in which electricity is delivered to businesses and residences. The AC comes from a power plant. The direction of the electricity switches back 60 times every second (or 50 times in some parts of the world). This happens so fast that a light bulb does not stop glowing.[1]
Both audio and radio signals carried on electrical wire are also examples of alternating current. In these applications, an important goal is often the recovery of information encoded (or modulated) onto the AC signal.
- ↑ "Alternating current". Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
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